“My whole coaching philosophy stems from it and finding connections with what really matters because for me it’s family.”
Before Melbourne’s latest lockdown,Goddard had planned to mark her accolade with a royal-themed party.
“It’s really special and I’m really grateful. I almost felt embarrassed because so many people do amazing things in the community and I think to myself ‘is football that important?’
“But I know it’s such a vehicle for change in our country and I’ve had opportunities,not because I’ve just been passionate,but because I’ve wanted to push the boundaries and see more women in the industry.”
As coach of Hawthorn’s VFL women’s team,Goddard’s next goal is to lead the club into AFLW.
“The goal is Hawthorn,immediately and personally for me,but I want the last four teams in the competition now because once that happens then we can start having more discussions about equality and what our female players are being paid.
“We can’t have those while they still aren’t participating.“
Goddard has risen through footy ranks all while working for the Australian Federal Police for the past two decades. A superintendent,she is currently working on Operation Ironside.
“I’m proud of that. I’ve got a great employer but I’m able to lead in both fields because they’re not dissimilar,you go to work and you’re trying to find a win.”
Michael Long speaks ahead of the Long Walk,held in Perth this month.Credit:Getty Images
Long’s role as the founder and director of The Michael Long Foundation and The Long Walk has him front of mind in the public consciousness each year at the Dreamtime game,held at the MCG before COVID-19 intervened.
When Long confronted racism in concert with the AFL back in 1995,they did it “head-on” and there was a backlash. He even received death threats.
“You live with it,” Long toldThe Age in 2019. “But,you know,the best thing we did was,the AFL took it head-on and change,it changed our supporters,it actually went beyond the boundaries of football.
“That’s why one thing I’m proud of is what football has done for this nation.“
Long’s first forays into race relations were via football,as a celebrated player. In 2004,he stepped beyond those boundaries and led a march to Canberra to highlight the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia.
Former North Melbourne Football Club powerbroker Peter de Rauch was made an OAM for service to community health and to Australian rules football,while Glenn Lazarus,Melbourne Storm’s first premiership captain,was honoured for service to rugby league.
Rosie King,chief executive of Netball Victoria and the Melbourne Vixens,received an OAM for service to sports administration.